Antoine Griezmann's loan continues to create tension between Atlético Madrid and FC Barcelona. While he's only ever used from the 60th minute in the capital, the Catalans believe the conditions for the mandatory purchase have already been met.

A look at Antoine Griezmann's deployment times reveals a bizarre picture. Although he plays regularly for Atlético, his assignments never last more than 30 minutes.

What the club can absorb qualitatively on the one hand is pure calculation on the other. Because the Frenchman's two-year loan from FC Barcelona includes a purchase obligation. To put it simply: This becomes active when Griezmann completes a certain percentage of playing time. Since he mostly played in the pre-season, he now only gets missions under half an hour. That lowers the percentage. Madrid don't want to have to pay the €40m.

According to the Spanish Mundo Deportivo, Barca officials have already called Madrid to discuss the loan situation.

In their opinion, the conditions for the obligation to buy have already been met. For this, the more than 50 percent of the assignments from the last year are in focus. The fact that it was around 80 percent makes it clear that the limit was exceeded, but is irrelevant in this respect.

According to the report, the legal department of FCB is certain: With more than 50 percent, the conditions for the second year of the loan, including the permanent commitment, have already been met.

Accordingly, the Catalan club has pointed out to its league competitors that their games and tricks have long since ceased to have any influence. For Barcelona it is clear that the percentage hurdle only referred to the first year on loan.

In order to clarify the difference of opinion, which happens to involve a lavish sum of money, the legal department should now prepare a lawsuit. It is said that the payment of the 40 million euros should be forced in this way. From the point of view of his previous club, he can also be seen as an Atlético player. The firm commitment had actually already taken place.

Whether that is actually the case remains to be seen. There is a risk of a legal dispute over the future of the world champion. Barcelona's attitude is unlikely to be easily accepted by the Rojiblancos.

This article was originally published on 90min.com as Because of Griezmann: Barca want legal action against Atletico.